How Long?
How Long?

Julia Holter - How Long? Lyrics

Julia Holter's composition weaves a tapestry of transient connections and existential inquiry, set against the backdrop of fleeting interactions. The song explores themes of temporality and displacement, highlighted by questions like "How long have you lived… Read more

Sep 25, 2015
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How Long? Music Video

How Long? Lyrics

Sally, things close early
It's a holiday
They tell me

How long
Have you lived here?
Have you seen
The river?

Do you know the proper way
To ask for a cigarette?

I'm asking before winter comes

Stay here with me 'til morning
With the three-man orchestra playing
I ask a fortune teller
What they whisper when
I walk by

Do you know the proper way
To ask for a cigarette?
I'm asking before winter comes

All the people run from the horizon
All the people run from the horizon
All the people run from the horizon
All the people run from the horizon
All the people run from the horizon
Staying late, waking late, on the horizon
All the people run from the horizon

Writer(s): JULIA HOLTER
Copyright(s): Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of How Long??

Julia Holter's composition weaves a tapestry of transient connections and existential inquiry, set against the backdrop of fleeting interactions. The song explores themes of temporality and displacement, highlighted by questions like "How long have you lived here?" and observations of societal routines. The repeated line about asking for a cigarette symbolizes small yet intimate exchanges that can momentarily bridge the gap between strangers. As people "run from the horizon," there is a pervasive sense of urgency and evasion, suggesting a collective avoidance of confronting deeper truths or future uncertainties. Ultimately, Holter crafts an atmospheric narrative that reflects on human connection in the face of impermanence, urging listeners to find meaning in ephemeral moments before they slip away with the coming winter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is the character Sally mentioned in 'How Long?' by Julia Holter?

    In 'How Long?' by Julia Holter, Sally refers to Sally Bowles, a character from Christopher Isherwood's 'The Berlin Stories.' The song draws inspiration from this character, who is depicted as a young English cabaret singer living in Berlin during the early 1930s.

  2. What inspired Julia Holter to use the character of Sally Bowles in her song 'How Long?'

    Julia Holter was inspired to use the character of Sally Bowles from 'The Berlin Stories' as a way to express herself through fictional characters rather than personal experiences. This approach allows her to explore different narratives and emotions while letting her own soul shine through indirectly.

  3. What is the significance of asking for a cigarette in the song 'How Long?'

    'How Long?' features repeated references to asking for a cigarette, symbolizing an attempt at making connection or seeking guidance in unfamiliar circumstances. This act could be seen as a metaphor for seeking companionship or understanding in a new or changing environment.

  4. Can you explain the line 'All the people run from the horizon' from 'How Long?' by Julia Holter?

    'All the people run from the horizon' might suggest a sense of urgency or escape from impending changes or dangers. It evokes an image of people fleeing something vast and inevitable, like time or historical shifts, which aligns with the backdrop of pre-World War II Berlin referenced in The Berlin Stories.

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